Cincinnati Reds: Ranking the value of contracts signed to avoid arbitration

5. Curt Casali, Catcher

2020 salary: $1.46M

Curt Casali took home $950K last year after agreeing to a one-year deal prior to the 2019 season. Casali spent some time on the injured list, but still saw time in 84 games, hitting .251 with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs. Casali will enter the 2020 season as Tucker Barnhart‘s backup, but I’d expect to see a similar split in playing time with Casali getting the start against opposing left-handers.

Casali agreed to a one-year/$1.46M contract and will not become a free agent until after the 2022 season. Casali, initially traded to Cincinnati from Tampa Bay, has carved out a nice niche since coming to the Queen City. When Tucker Barnhart went on the IL last season with an oblique injury, Casali became the primary backstop for the Reds.

Both Casali and Barnhart enter the 2020 season in a bit of a precarious situation. The Reds were obviously looking to upgrade the catcher’s spot this offseason, as the front office was rumored to be involved in talks with Yasmani Grandal and Robinson Chirinos. There’s also highly-touted prospect Tyler Stephenson, who had success in the Arizona Fall League, nipping at their heels.

Ranking Casali isn’t a knock against the 31-year-old, as $1.46M isn’t a bad price at all for a backup catcher. However, the ascension of Stephenson could greatly affect Casali’s playing time as the season goes along. If the young backstop showcases his talents at Triple-A Louisville and Casali struggles, we could see Stephenson in Cincinnati quicker than expected.